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Father’s Day gift ideas

I’ve always thought Dads come in a
bit second when it comes to the holiday thing. This year, go that
extra mile for Dad— locally— with a couple of
Father’s Day gift ideas, off the beaten path and in the
neighborhood.

Jewelry isn’t a normal
Father’s Day gift, but it beats the heck out of another tie
or two. Ooh Aah Jewelry (on Tennyson, south of 44th) has some
unique men’s items in two unusual metals (for jewelry, not,
say, aerospace applications)— titanium and tungsten.
Titanium, which is light and very strong, used to be a very rare
commodity, until the end of the Cold War, when Soviet supplies
became available on the world market. Tungsten has the highest
melting points of all metals, has its own backstory. If
you’re looking for a different gift, one certain to be unique
and a conversation starter, duck into to Ooh Aah to get your dad
some bling that definitely isn’t bling, yet very, very
cool.

I’ve always thought Dads come in a
bit second when it comes to the holiday thing. This year, go that
extra mile for Dad— locally— with a couple of
Father’s Day gift ideas, off the beaten path and in the
neighborhood.

Jewelry isn’t a normal
Father’s Day gift, but it beats the heck out of another tie
or two. Ooh Aah Jewelry (on Tennyson, south of 44th) has some
unique men’s items in two unusual metals (for jewelry, not,
say, aerospace applications)— titanium and tungsten.
Titanium, which is light and very strong, used to be a very rare
commodity, until the end of the Cold War, when Soviet supplies
became available on the world market. Tungsten has the highest
melting points of all metals, has its own backstory. If
you’re looking for a different gift, one certain to be unique
and a conversation starter, duck into to Ooh Aah to get your dad
some bling that definitely isn’t bling, yet very, very
cool.

My notion of working out focuses around
the bench press and the squat rack, but I’ve taken up yoga in
the past year of so in an attempt to revitalize my broken down
body. Yoga is all about a trilogy of flexibility, balance and, yes,
strength— something dads need in spades. But many yoga
classes and studios are women-centered, and men often feel a bit
out of place. However, yoga with Jeremy at Studio Soma (on 29th
Ave, across from Valdez Elementary– Thursdays at 12:15 and
Saturday mornings at 10:15) might just be the ticket for Dad. Punch
cards are available as a gift, and the workouts will be one as
well. Challenging, yet relaxing, Jeremy is a dynamic guide through
yoga. Though he might take some prodding, Dad’s body and his
piece of mind will be grateful.

Lastly, any man worth his testosterone can
appreciate a Guinness. So take Dad down to Common Grounds (yes, the
coffeehouse) and buy him a pint. Moms can enjoy wine from some
great vineyards, as well. The people watching and hub of community
are great at Common Grounds (they have ice cream for the kids) and
the added luxury of a Guinness to go with the caffeine-addled is
superb. It’s a great lagniappe (that’s Cajun for a
little bit extra) for Father’s Day, and Common Grounds has
gift certificates.***